Wheeling YMCA Kindergarten Hoops Clinic Is a Hit
Eric Ayres Trending
Scores of local youngsters took to the basketball court this week for the annual YMCA Kindergarten Hoops Clinic.
The popular annual clinic draws aspiring young hoopsters from all over the Ohio Valley, and the title sponsor for the Y’s event is Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration. Several employees of Belmont Savings Bank have volunteered to help lead the camp activities, including camp director BSB Chief Administrative Officer E.J. Schodzinski.
"I’ve been the volunteer director of the kindergarten camp for the last 15 years," said Schodzinski. "The goal is for every child to be encouraged and to have fun. We try to get creative and tie in age-appropriate life lessons as well. For example, last night we successfully transitioned from showing the kids how to ‘protect their basketball’ at the beginning of last night's clinic to the importance of ‘protecting their money’ at the end of the clinic and gave each participant a piggy bank to take home with them."
With 25 years of experience in athletics administration and youth coaching, Schodzinski brings a wealth of knowledge to each camp. He coached the Ohio University Eastern women’s basketball program from 2007-15, earning eight conference and state championships. He also won a championship coaching the men’s basketball team at Shepherd University and played for four years in college at Wheeling University, where he was named to the Cardinal’s All-Time Roster.
At this year’s youth camp, Schodzinski was joined by numerous employees from Belmont Savings Bank who volunteered to help lead the camp activities. He has been assisted by BSB President Todd Cover and fellow employees Meggie Ball, Jayden Starks, Alicia Jordan, Mike Taylor and Joe Ticich. Members of the Wheeling Central Catholic girls basketball team are also volunteering each week.
This year, there have been around 65 kindergarten students from both sides of the river participating in the camp. The clinic is designed to be an introduction to the game of basketball for the youngsters, who learn the fundamentals of dribbling, passing, shooting and defense.
All of the proceeds from the camp benefit the YMCA programs.
"It's our mission at BSB to give back to the community, and we are enjoying this wonderful opportunity to coach and encourage all of the participants," Scholdzinski said. "The Kindergarten Basketball Clinic is another avenue for us to make a difference. We are thrilled that all of the proceeds benefit the YMCA and kids programming."